Is there such a thing as "beef bacon"?

There is a rancher at my farners market that sells beef bacon. The packaging says "beef navel". So, pretty much the belly, like pork bacon. His bacon is also salt cured and seriously delicious.

Posted a pic on my blog: http://copperpots.blogspot.com/2010/10/farm-fresh-breakfast.html

littlelea in General Chowhounding Topics

Best Crispy Aromatic Duck in London?

Thank you all for the fantastic responses. :)

I don't really remember where we ended up eating now, but I think we just wound up wandering into one of the many joints in China-town... one that looked to have a good crowd inside.

I am aware that crispy aromatic duck is NOT Peking duck.... I live in the US and had never even heard of it until meeting my (now) husband who is a Brit. I should mention I had a room-mate for about 3 years who was born and raised in Hong Kong, so I'm pretty familiar with traditional Chinese fare. ;-) As far as crispy aromatic duck goes, husband was a fan... and once I tried it, I became a fan too.

Anyways... we hit the 2 year mark last month! I will still refer to this thread for our visits to London (have been 3 now since the original post).

Thanks all!

littlelea in U.K./Ireland

Chowder's in Rockledge now River Rocks?

Personally I was very happy to see Chowders go. It was a seafood restaurant for snowbirds whos concept of good seafood was battered and deep fried. Prime Rib was the fancy item on the menu. Our last visit to Chowders, the server couldn't tell the difference between the mahi and the tuna when he brought it to our table.

River Rocks on the other hand, is the polar opposite. A fresh inspired menu which changes regularly.... fish cooked in more varieties than "fried or blackened". They actually appreciate and know how to cook good seafood.... which SHOULD be a given... being in Florida, and smack on the river.

The redecoration as well is classy and clean, and nice change from the cramped, dusty, dark, checkered tablecloths & stuffed fish-on-the-walls decor of Chowders.

I find that most of the people who dislike River Rocks are the old crowd who went to Chowders out of habit.... not because the food or service was actually any good.

littlelea in Florida

Best Chows in Toronto?

Thank you so much Jay!! VERY helpful!

I have heard of peameal bacon sandwiches.... we will definitely go for that!

You've shared a treasure trove of stuff right up my alley!! Thank you so much! Writing ALL of this down.

Is it sad that I plan our vacation around where we are eating? lol

littlelea in Ontario (including Toronto)

Good chow spots in central DC

awesome thanks!!

Yea.. coming from Florida, I'm used to the heat and humidity.... we definitely will not be walking around in jackets... I think he wants an excuse to dress up honestly! hahaha XD

We have a lot of fine dining restaurants in Florida... but none that I can think of require jacket or tie.... its just too freaking hot and casual down here!

littlelea in Washington DC & Baltimore Area

Best Chows in Toronto?

Hello!

My hubby and I will be visiting Toronto soon for 10 days and will be staying The Fairmont Royal.

We wont have a car so unless we hire a cab we'll be footing it all over.

Anyone have any good suggestions?

We are into just about everything... but really like to go after the more not-so-mainstream.

Any good authentic Cantonese Chinese? French? Local dives? Will we find good Poutine in the area? Anything local we should look for?

We're open for any and all suggestions!

Thanks for any tips! :)

littlelea in Ontario (including Toronto)

Good chow spots in central DC

Hello!

My hubby and I will be visiting Washington DC next week for 4 days and will be staying right near The Mall.

We wont have a car so unless we hire a cab we'll be footing it all over.

Anyone have any good suggestions?

We are into just about everything... but really like to go after the more not-so-mainstream.

Any good authentic Cantonese Chinese? French? Local dives?

Also maybe a suggestion for a nice restaurant... as my husband is insisting we find someplace that requires a jacket (lol - he is a Brit... and in my life I've never been to a restaurant that requires a jacket... then again, I've lived in SoCal and Florida my whole life).

Thanks a ton! :)

littlelea in Washington DC & Baltimore Area

Best Crispy Aromatic Duck in London?

Thank you Ian! Very helpful! I think we will definitely be trying Taiwan Village! The online menu is impressive!

littlelea in U.K./Ireland

Best Crispy Aromatic Duck in London?

Hello Hounds =)

My fiance and I will be honeymooning in the UK (he's a Brit) in December. He is a terribly huge fan of Crispy Aromatic Duck and since its basically impossible to find in the US, we would really like to have the best we can find while in London.

Does anyone have an advice or suggestions of places to try?

My search on google only returned with a place called Mr Kongs in Soho... does anyone have any experience from this place?

Thanks for any help! :)

littlelea in U.K./Ireland

Mt. Dora Update

I second Goblin Market and Frosty Mug. I used to live across the street from Frosty Mug actually, upstairs from one of the shops... so I was a regular there. I'm not sure if it is still true, but they used to have a Peruvian cook, who made the rockinest flan. Kinda a strange combination for an Icelandic restaurant... but I was never disappointed with whatever I ate (and drank) there! =)

There is also an excellent little bakery across the street from the laundry mat, near the railroad tracks. Awesome made on site breads and pastries!! =D

I'd also recommend the Tea Room... for a traditional English tea. Yummy little sandwiches, authentic English scones with clotted cream and jam.... perfect for a light lunch.

littlelea in Florida

Local favorites in Orlando, FL

There is a Dixie Crossroads in Orlando now? Yikes! I hope you stuck to the shellfish! ;-)

littlelea in Florida

Best things you'll NEVER be able to cook again??

My fiance and I participated in a chicken wing cook off a couple years back...

We created several different sauces for our wings (buffalo, teriyaki, sweet and sour, garlic, etc etc). We had quite a bit of each leftover, so we combined them all. It made the rockenest sauce ever... and was favored out of all of our others by everyone.

littlelea in Home Cooking

Unusual yet delicious omelette fillings/combos?

I recently filled an omelette with leftover corned beef. Garnished with tomatoes and sour cream. It was surprisingly awesome.

littlelea in Home Cooking

Alton Brown

I love him =)

He is the only thing I watch on FoodTV anymore. Who else goes into the kitchen with goggles and a blow torch?

I also confess that I bought one of his salt cellars. =)

Every recipe I have tried of his has been excellent as well. I've always had an aversion to meatloaf until I tried his recipe... now my fiance regularly asks me to make it.

Also used his brined turkey recipe for Thanksgiving last year... excellent.

littlelea in Food Media & News

Food in Fiction [moved from Not About Food board]

Nothing makes me want sausages, mushrooms and crispy bacon as much as Tolkiens passages about the lifestyles of Hobbits. ;-)

littlelea in Food Media & News

Local favorites in Orlando, FL

Thanks for the suggestions Bob =) I've seen Mings, but didnt know they do a dim sum! I'll try it on my next dim sum marathon!

Tasty Wok, eh? I guess I call it the Noodle House as thats what the locals call it, I just assumed thats what it was called! haha! =) Everything there is good. =)

littlelea in Florida

Korean Restaurants Orlando/Daytona Area

There is also Haru's in Melbourne, at two locations now, one on 192 in Melbourne, one on A1A beachside.

A little bit upscale... They are mostly known for their excellent sushi, but it is Korean run and has some excellent Korean items on the menu, I am sure they will also do specialties upon request.

littlelea in Florida

Embaressing Dining Partner- What to Do?

Yikes, this sounds so much like my own mother it is frightening!

For instance, we went to a nice steak place not long ago... she ordered her filet medium-well... I ordered mine medium rare. Of course the cooks butterflied hers (they were thick) to cook it evenly throughout. Well when they served our steaks and she saw hers and mine, she complained that they gave us different steaks, and had her take it back! I tried to explain it to her but it was too late at that point... these kinds of people dont like to be told they are in the wrong.

It is very difficult indeed, especially when you're trying to enjoy yourself (and your meal) as well.

I'm interested too to see how people deal with it... since in my lifetime I still havent found a way to get her to just enjoy a meal out without literally looking for something to be wrong.

littlelea in Not About Food

is there german food in florida???

I thought Heidelberg closed down? Isnt there a Chinese place there now?

Did it move?

littlelea in Florida

Local favorites in Orlando, FL

If youre looking for a unique experience, and like Chinese.. I always recommend Chan's off of Colonial. They have the most awesome authentic dim sum you'll find within a 200 mile radius.

I recommend going on Sunday (the busiest day) and getting there between 11am - 1pm. You might have to wait a bit, but it is well worth it.

I dont live in Orlando anymore, but gladly make the hour drive once a month just to go there.

Also... since you'll be in the area, just a little walk west on Colonial will bring you to the "Noodle House" (directly opposite Pulix Supermarket)... get half a pound of crispy pork to go. It is out of this world.

littlelea in Florida

Bringing home what is left over from a potluck?

Where in the south are you?

I know alot times around here if someone throws a potluck, it is rude NOT to bring something.. so especially those who dont cook will usually bring something like the canned beans.. or something prepared from the supermarket, just so they wont show up empty handed.

I also agree she was probably trying to be polite by not leaving her mess for you to clean up.

I'd just call it Southern courtesy. She was probably thinking more about you than herself... even though it might have not come across right. ;-)

littlelea in Not About Food

Tuna steak- How to cook & what with?

Personally I treat tuna steak just as I would beef steak.

I like it cooked medium-rare... as, like you said, it likes to dry out. Unless you are unsure of the freshness of your tuna (and if thats the case, I couldnt eat it at all)... there is no reason to cook tuna all the way through! It just gets so dry.

I also love poke.... raw tuna marinated in a spicy concoction. http://copperpots.blogspot.com/2007/02/nothing-like-good-poke-on-valentines.html

Alan gives some really good suggestions on sauces and veggies. I think it all depends on what style you go with for cooking... raw, I'd suggest cool veggies, like a cucumber or carrot salad. Or if you go Mediterranean, maybe eggplant and olives... terriyaki I'd go with sauteed bok choy or some other stir fried veg.

littlelea in Home Cooking

LA Times - A reason to duck the foie gras

Fourth! Can I fourth? does that exist?

littlelea in Food Media & News

Melborne for a weekend

Haru's on A!A in Melbourne beach is excellent for sushi and korean grub.

Also, try City Tropics Bistro on 192 just west of A!A.

If you do make it up to Cocoa Beach... Slow & Low on A!A has some AWESOME BBQ, nice outdoor patio/bar/dining area with big fans and misters. =D

littlelea in Florida

Good places to eat in Orlando, Deland, Ormond Beach

If you only eat one meal in Orlando... you must do dim sum at Chans. I suggest going on weekend mornings to early afternoon when the variety is at its max! I make it a point to drive from Brevard at least once a month to hit the place up!! By far the most unique and tastey place in O-Town.

littlelea in Florida